Total Complaints
226 filings
KIA SEDONA · model year
226 NHTSA complaints, 12 crash reports, and 2 active recalls for this specific cohort.
NHTSA overall rating
Not crash-tested
New Car Assessment Program
The 2004KIASEDONA carries 226 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 12 crashes, 13 fires, 27 injuries, and 2 fatalities. No NCAP 5-star crash-test rating is available for this model year in the federal database.
Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 2004 SEDONA is wheels with 24 filings, followed by steering (19) and electrical system (14). Concentration in one or two component groups is the classic signature of a systemic defect; a flat distribution usually reflects normal aging, warranty complaints, or isolated build-plant variability. This model year has 2 active recall campaigns, which means the manufacturer is obligated to remedy the covered defect at no charge for the life of the vehicle — the full NHTSA campaign numbers are listed below.
NHTSA currently has 2 investigation files overlapping the 2004 SEDONA. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should pair the counters above with the complaint-by-year trend on the parent model page — a spike in a single year often tracks to a platform refresh, a new transmission supplier, or an updated ECU calibration. Use the related-complaint feed below to read raw owner narratives before deciding whether any pattern here affects your specific use case.
Total Complaints
226 filings
Crashes Reported
12 reports
Source
NHTSA ODI
Federal complaints database
Above median complaint volume — review patterns below.
| Component | Count |
|---|---|
| WHEELS | 24 |
| STEERING | 19 |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 14 |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING | 12 |
| UNKNOWN OR OTHER | 9 |
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC | 9 |
| VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL | 9 |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE | 8 |
| WHEELS:HUB | 8 |
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP | 7 |
| SUSPENSION:FRONT:WHEEL BEARING | 7 |
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR | 6 |
| AIR BAGS | 6 |
| TIRES | 5 |
| ENGINE | 5 |
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:CABLES
ON CERTAIN MINI VANS, FREEZING CONDITIONS CAN CAUSE WATER ON THE THROTTLE CABLE TO FREEZE DURING NORMAL OPERATION. RESISTANCE TO MOVEMENT OF THE THROTTLE CABLE CAN OCCUR WHEN THE DRIVER LIFTS THEIR FOOT OFF OF THE GAS PEDAL.
WHEELS
ON CERTAIN MINI VANS EQUIPPED WITH ALLOY WHEELS, MOISTURE CAN ACCUMULATE AROUND THE REAR HUB CAPS CAUSING DAMAGE TO THE OUTER WHEEL BEARING.
Everything appears normal driving down road bout 45 to 50 mph. Slowed down for car n front was turning when I noticed smoke coming from under hood around headlights both sides. Then we pulled into a storage unit place. When even more smoke . I got out popped hood it was all on fire. I turned off van and a friend and I got a couple cups and dipped in water puddle and put fire out , while we were watching to make sure it restarted 2 more times. After half hour goes by and no more smoke . Closed van up found a ride home after contacting insurance company.
I HAVE A 2004 KIA SENDONA LX VAN AND THE WHEEL BARRINGS ARE BAD I FIXED IT ONCE ALREADY A MONTH AGO AND IT IS ALREADY BROKEN AGAIN BOTH TIMES IT COMPLETELY FELL APART IN TO LITTLE PEICES WHEN I TOOK THE WHEEL OFF.
Mileage: 18,000
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2004 KIA SEDONA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED AND TOWED TO A TOW YARD. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE CAUSE OF THE FIRE WAS UNKNOWN. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT CONTACTED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,100.
Mileage: 100,100
MY 2004 KIA SEDONA WAS SITTING STATIONARY IN MY DRIVEWAY ENGINE WAS OFF. WHEN SOMETHING IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT CAUGHT FIRE CAUSING EXTENSIVE DAMAGE TO ENGINE PARTS ON THE TOP SIDE OF THE ENGINE. SUCH BE AS FLUID RESERVOIRS WIRING, FUSE BOX, AND MORE.
Mileage: 25,000
ON SATURDAY, DECEMBER 16, AT APPROXIMATELY 11:30 AM, MY WIFE'S 2004 KIA SEDONA SPONTANEOUSLY CAUGHT FIRE IN THE DRIVEWAY OF OUR HOME. I HAD DRIVEN IT THAT MORNING TO RUN A QUICK ERRAND, ACTUAL DRIVE TIME LESS THAN HALF AN HOUR WITHOUT ANYTHING OUT OF THE ORDINARY. I RETURNED HOME, PARKED IN OUR DRIVEWAY BEHIND MY FORD WINDSTAR. BOTH MY WIFE AND MYSELF WERE IN OUR HOUSE WHEN WE HEARD A LOUD BOOM FOLLOWED SHORTLY BY A SECOND BOOM. THAT IS WHEN WE SAW THAT FIRE WAS COMING FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT OF HER VAN AND THE REAR OF MY WINDSTAR WAS ON FIRE. WE IMMEDIATELY CALLED 911 AND SHORTLY THEREAFTER OUR LOCAL FIRE COMPANY ARRIVED AND BEGAN FIGHTING THE BLAZE. BY THAT TIME BOTH VEHICLES WERE ENGULFED IN FLAMES. THE FIRE APPEARS TO HAVE STARTED IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT OF THE KIA. BOTH VEHICLES ARE A TOTAL LOSS. UNTIL THIS INCIDENT, NOTWITHSTANDING BASIC MAINTENANCE AND REPAIRS, THE KIA SEDONA WAS A VERY RELIABLE VEHICLE. AS WITH THE WINDSTAR, MAINTENANCE AND REPAIRS WERE DONE
Mileage: 214,000
WHEN I WENT TO START MY CAR IT IMMEDIATELY SHUT OFF, AS IT OCCASIONALLY DOES. THE RPM'S DROPPED AND THE ENGINE CUT OUT. USUALLY THE PROBLEM IS RESOLVED BY ME REVVING THE ENGINE FOR A MINUTE OR TWO, BUT THE PROBLEM PERSISTED LONGER THAN USUAL. IT EVENTUALLY STAYED ON AND I TRIED TO DRIVE AWAY. AS I CHANGED INTO GEAR EVERYTHING SEEMED OKAY, I REVERSED FROM WHERE I WAS PARKED THEN I PUT IT INTO DRIVE AND WHILE IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD THE ENGINE CUT OUT AND I WAS STUCK THERE FOR ONLY A FEW SECONDS LUCKILY. I DROVE BACK TO WHERE I WAS PARKED AND AS I STOPPED THE ENGINE CUT OUT ON ME. THIS TYPICALLY HAS HAPPENED TO ME WHEN THE GAS TANK WAS BELOW HALF. I MANAGED TO GET TO A GAS STATION AND FILL UP AND THAT STOPPED THE PROBLEM.
Mileage: 101,294
"TAKATA RECALL" ON TUESDAY MAY 9, 2017 WE WERE INVOLVED IN AN AUTOMOBILE ACCIDENT. TO OUR AMAZEMENT AND HORROR, NOT ONE AIRBAG DEPLOYED . 'WE WERE HIT ON THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VAN . THE FRONT PASSENGER DOOR REQUIRED ASSISTANCE FROM THE POLICE/FIRE FIGHTERS ASSISTANCE TO EXIT THE VAN HOWEVER THE SLIDING DOOR COULD NOT BE OPENED REQUIRING REMOVING THE BABY THROUGH THE DRIVER'S SIDE. THE LIGHT TURNED GREEN AND WE BEGAN TO MOVE FORWARD WHEN OUR VAN WAS STRUCK BY THE OTHER CAR EXITING A PARKING LOT. NEITHER ONE OF US SAW THE ADVANCE NOR IMPACT OF THE OTHER CAR. AFTER REALIZING WHAT HAPPENED WE CALL EMERGENCY VEHICLES FOR ASSISTANCE. WE WERE INSTRUCTED TO MOVE OUR VAN TO A SAFE LOCATION AND WAIT FOR H
Mileage: 158,000
"TAKATA RECALL" ON TUESDAY MAY 9, 2017 WE WERE INVOLVED IN AN AUTOMOBILE ACCIDENT. TO OUR AMAZEMENT AND HORROR, NOT ONE AIRBAG DEPLOYED . 'WE WERE HIT ON THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VAN . THE FRONT PASSENGER DOOR REQUIRED ASSISTANCE FROM THE POLICE/FIRE FIGHTERS ASSISTANCE TO EXIT THE VAN HOWEVER THE SLIDING DOOR COULD NOT BE OPENED REQUIRING REMOVING THE BABY THROUGH THE DRIVER'S SIDE. THE LIGHT TURNED GREEN AND WE BEGAN TO MOVE FORWARD WHEN OUR VAN WAS STRUCK BY THE OTHER CAR EXITING A PARKING LOT. NEITHER ONE OF US SAW THE ADVANCE NOR IMPACT OF THE OTHER CAR. AFTER REALIZING WHAT HAPPENED WE CALL EMERGENCY VEHICLES FOR ASSISTANCE. WE WERE INSTRUCTED TO MOVE OUR VAN TO A SAFE LOCATION AND WAIT FOR H
Mileage: 158,000
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 KIA SEDONA. WHILE STATIONARY, THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE ERUPTED INTO FLAMES. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FIRE ORIGINATED FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE FIRE WAS EXTINGUISHED BY THE FIRE DEPARTMENT. THERE WERE NO INJURIES SUSTAINED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FIRE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 110,000.
Mileage: 110,000
TAKATA RECALL..MY VAN STALLS OUT NO MATTER WHERE..STOPPED AT IDLE IT RANDOMLY SHUTS OFF..DRIVING AVERAGE SPEED IN TOWN 45MPH IT RANDOMLY SHUTS OFF..ON THE HWY. SPEEDS AVERAGE FROM 55 TO 70 MPH IT RANDOMLY SHUTS OFF ..IN HEAVY TRAFFIC THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS..I HAVE REPLACED THE FOLLOWING.. FUEL PUMP FUEL FILTER FUEL PUMP RELAYS THROTTLE POSITION SENSOR MASS AIR FLOW SENSOR CRANK SHAFT POSITION SENSOR OXYGEN SENSOR FUEL COIL PACKS SPARK PLUGS INTAKE GASKETS INJECTORS AIR FILTER JUST LIKE THE HUNDREDS OF PEOPLE ON THE FORUMEBAY ABOUT KIA SEDONA..I'VE PUT $1000'S IN THE VAN WITH NO SOLUTION TO THE DANGEROUS ISSUES..THE ONLY THING LEFT TO CHANGE IS THE INTERNAL WIRING..THIS PROBLEM IS WAY TO COMMON FOR KIA NOT TO HAVE A RECALL ON IT..ITS A HUGE SAFETY HAZARD AND NEEDS TO HAVE SOMETHING DONE ABOUT IT..NOT JUST FOR ME BUT FOR EVERYONE THAT HAS A KIA SEDONA..ITS OBVIOUSLY A SHORT IN THE WIRING AND IS A MANUFACTURER FLAW FOR SO MANY PEOPLE TO HAVE THE SAME ISSUE..BTW MY VAN ONLY
Mileage: 100,000
TAKATA RECALL..MY VAN STALLS OUT NO MATTER WHERE..STOPPED AT IDLE IT RANDOMLY SHUTS OFF..DRIVING AVERAGE SPEED IN TOWN 45MPH IT RANDOMLY SHUTS OFF..ON THE HWY. SPEEDS AVERAGE FROM 55 TO 70 MPH IT RANDOMLY SHUTS OFF ..IN HEAVY TRAFFIC THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS..I HAVE REPLACED THE FOLLOWING.. FUEL PUMP FUEL FILTER FUEL PUMP RELAYS THROTTLE POSITION SENSOR MASS AIR FLOW SENSOR CRANK SHAFT POSITION SENSOR OXYGEN SENSOR FUEL COIL PACKS SPARK PLUGS INTAKE GASKETS INJECTORS AIR FILTER JUST LIKE THE HUNDREDS OF PEOPLE ON THE FORUMEBAY ABOUT KIA SEDONA..I'VE PUT $1000'S IN THE VAN WITH NO SOLUTION TO THE DANGEROUS ISSUES..THE ONLY THING LEFT TO CHANGE IS THE INTERNAL WIRING..THIS PROBLEM IS WAY TO COMMON FOR KIA NOT TO HAVE A RECALL ON IT..ITS A HUGE SAFETY HAZARD AND NEEDS TO HAVE SOMETHING DONE ABOUT IT..NOT JUST FOR ME BUT FOR EVERYONE THAT HAS A KIA SEDONA..ITS OBVIOUSLY A SHORT IN THE WIRING AND IS A MANUFACTURER FLAW FOR SO MANY PEOPLE TO HAVE THE SAME ISSUE..BTW MY VAN ONLY
Mileage: 100,000
MY STEERING IN MY 2004 KIA SEDONA LX IS TENDING TO BIND AND NEARLY LOCK UP AROUND TURNS. THIS PROBLEM COMES AND GOES.
Mileage: 120,500
UPON RETURNING HOME AND PARKING MY VAN AFTER RUNNING AN ERRAND OF ABOUT 5 MILES, I SAW SMOKE COMING FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT, RAN TO GET A FIRE EXTINGUISHER, THE FIRE WAS PUT OUT WITHIN 60 (SIXTY) SECONDS AFTER SEEING THE SMOKE. REMOVING THE AIR CLEANER AND OTHER COMPONENTS, -- THE WIRE HARNESS ON THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT WAS FOUND CHARRED BY THE FIRE. NO IMMEDIATE REASON WAS FOUND FOR THIS INCIDENT TO OCCUR.
Mileage: 130,000
CAUGHT ON FIRE WHILE PARKED AFTER DRIVING ENGINE WAS OFF . HISTORY OF OIL LEAKS. #15003607 VAN TOTALED AND SENT TO SALVAGE YARD. *TR
Mileage: 172,000
MY VAN WONT STEER. IT IS TIGHT AND WONT LET ME GO LEFT OR RIGHT.
Mileage: 297,400
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 KIA SEDONA. WHILE OPENING THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE EXTERIOR DOOR HANDLE, ALL FOUR DOORS ON THE VEHICLE LOCKED INDEPENDENTLY. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150,000. UPDATED 6/11/15*CN UPDATED 06/16/15*JB
Mileage: 150,000
WHILE DRIVING IN WET CONDITIONS THE BRAKE AND BATTERY LIGHT WILL COME ON INSTRUMENT PANEL AND THERE IS A LOSS OF POWER OF STEERING. WHEN TAKEN TO KIA DEALERSHIP TO FIX PROBLEM THEY TOLD US IT IS A COMMON COMPLAINT AMONG KIA CARS. THEY CHECKED ALL BELTS, BATTERY AND ALTERNATOR ALL TESTS CAME BACK NORMAL. WHILE DRIVING IT IS DANGEROUS TO LOSE POWER OF STEERING ESPECIALLY IN WET CONDITIONS. *TR
Mileage: 60,000
WHILE DRIVING IN WET CONDITIONS THE BRAKE AND BATTERY LIGHT WILL COME ON INSTRUMENT PANEL AND THERE IS A LOSS OF POWER OF STEERING. WHEN TAKEN TO KIA DEALERSHIP TO FIX PROBLEM THEY TOLD US IT IS A COMMON COMPLAINT AMONG KIA CARS. THEY CHECKED ALL BELTS, BATTERY AND ALTERNATOR ALL TESTS CAME BACK NORMAL. WHILE DRIVING IT IS DANGEROUS TO LOSE POWER OF STEERING ESPECIALLY IN WET CONDITIONS. *TR
Mileage: 60,000
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 KIA SEDONA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE SPEEDOMETER FLUCTUATED AND SEIZED INTERMITTENTLY. IN ADDITION, THE VEHICLE WOULD ACCELERATE INDEPENDENTLY. IN ORDER TO PREVENT THE FAILURE, THE CONTACT HAD TO DRIVE AT A SLOWER SPEED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 05V329000 (VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 96,000.
Mileage: 96,000
WHILE MAKING RIGHT AND LEFT TURNS THE STEERING BECOMES VERY TIGHT. THE POWER STEERING FLUID WAS FINE. NO OTHER WARNINGS. THIS MADE ME VERY SCARED TO MAKE TURNS. I DID MY BEST TO AVOID TURNS ONLY IF ABSOLUTELY NECESSARY FOR TWO DAYS. IN MY 32 YEARS OF DRIVING I HAVE NEVER HAD THIS HAPPEN TO ME. WHEN I TOOK IT TO TIRE CHOICE AND TOTAL CAR CARE THEY SAID IT WAS MY INTERMEDIATE STEERING SHAFT NEED TO BE REPLACED. I HAD IT REPLACED THAT DAY 9/20/14. *TR
Mileage: 129,994
Data as of 2025. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.
Read our methodology — how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.